Suspender-button



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN SMITH, OF NAUGATUCK, CONNECTICUT.

SUSPENDER-BUTTON.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 32,087, dated April 16, 1861.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN SMITH, of Naugatuck, in the county o New Haven and` State of Connecticut, ave invented a new and-useful Improvement in Suspender- Buttons, as a new 4article of manufacture; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description o the construction, character, and operation o the same, reference being had to the acco1npanying drawings, which make part of this specification, inI which /Figure 1, is a perspective View of the button, when sewed to the cloth, for use. Fig. 2, is a perspective view of the back side of the same. Fig. 3, is a section of the same, cut perpendicularly through the center, showing how the ivory center is secured between the two metallic parts, so that the Shell may revolve freely around the center when that is held stationary by being sewed to the cloth, (as in Fig. 1.)

My improvement consists in making the shell of the button of two pieces of sheet metal and the solid center of one piece of ivory, or any other suitable material, and putting them together in such a manner that whenrthe ivory center is sewed to the cloth, (or other' article,) for use, the shell may be freely revolved around the center without, in the slightest degree, straining the thread, with which it is attached to the cloth.

I make the front part, A, of the shell of sheet'metal, in the form shown in Fig. 1, and indicated, in section, in Fig. 3, or, in any other convenient, or desirable, form, with an open space in the center, as shown in Fig. l, and indicated, in section, in Fig. 3. I make the back part, B,`of the shell, also, of sheet metal, with a space in the center, as shown in Fig. 2, and with a raised bead, or collar, ZJ, to receive the flange, c, c, of the center, a, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. I make the center piece, a, of ivory, or any other suitable material, by turning, it in a perfect circle, so that the shell, A, B, may revolve freely on', or around, it, and with a flange on its periphery, as shown, in section, at c, c, Fig. 3, by which it is secured in the shell, in such a manner that while it is held firmly, by the thread which attaches it to the cloth, the shell may be revolved, freely, on it. And I make four or any other number of) holes through it, as shown in Fig. 2,

vthrough which the thread passes which attaches it to the garment, as shown in Fig. 1. Having raised, or swaged, the two parts, A, and B, of the shell, to the proper shape, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, and turned the centerY piece, a, I place this center piece, c, in its place in the space in the back part, B, of the shell, spring on the front part, A, and (with proper dies) set down the rim, or edge, so that it will appear, substantially, as represented at A, A, Fig. 2, on the back side, when the bead, or collar, Z), b, Figs. 2 and 3, will hold the `flange, c, c, of the center piece, a, as indicated, in section, in Fig. 3, yet not so close as to prevent the shell from turning freely on it. If thought best at any time, this center piece, a, may be made so thick that it will project so far beyond the collar, Z), Figs. 2 and 3, as to allow the button-hole to rest upon, or work against, it, so that the button-hole will not fret, or wear, the thread with which the button is attached to the garment; or, a metallic socket, or collar, may be attached to the center piece, a, for the protection of the thread; or, a loose tube, or thimble, may be used with the button t-o inclose the thread for the same purpose.

These buttons may be made of any kind, or quality, of sheet metal, and be made plain, or ornamental, as may best suit the market, at any time.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A button formed by the combination of the sheet metal shell, (A, B,) with the solid center-piece, (ra) when the parts are so connected thatthe shell may be freely revolved on, or around, the center-piece, (when attached to the cloth,) the whole being constructed, and fitted to operate, substantially,

as herein described.

EDIVIN SMITH. Witnesses:

R. FITZGERALD, I-I. KEATNY. 

